Beth Williamson’s Blog

Okay, this was sent to me by my peep, Janice.

The following is a clip from a 1950’s Home Economics textbook intended for high school girls, teaching them how to prepare for married life. (Get ready, y’all, but don’t have any sharp objects handy.)

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Have dinner ready: Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal- on time. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospects of a good meal are part of the warm welcome needed.
On time? What does that mean? Sometime tonight? Cause that’s what dinner is in my house. We have a full meal maybe three times a week, the rest of the time, it’s fend for yourself or pizza or leftovers. :smile1_tb:

Prepare yourself: Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your makeup, put a ribbon in your hair, and be fresh looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people. Be a little gay and a little more interesting. His boring day may need a lift.
*snicker* My hair hasn’t seen a ribbon in thirty years, and touch up my make-up? Are you kidding me? I’m rubbing it off by then. I don’t think I can be gay either - scientifically anyway. And as far as his boring day goes, that’s not my problem. :huh_tb:

Clear away the clutter: Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives, gathering up school books, toys, paper, etc. Then run a dust cloth over the tables. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift, too.
I think I hurt myself laughing about this one. Woo-boy, that was a good laugh! My DH is the king of clutter and if he wants to clear it away, he can damn well do it himself. :dry_tb:

Prepare the children: Take a few minutes to wash the children’s hands and faces (if they are small), comb their hair, and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part.
Okay, I’ll concede that my children are little treasures (or big PITAs depending on the day). BUT change their clothes to greet Daddy? Right. I’ll get right on that. :laugh_tb:

Minimize all noise: At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of washer, dryer, dishwasher, or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quiet. Be happy to see him.
Like a museum? Or a library? I don’t get it… :blink_tb:

Greet him with a warm smile and be glad to see him.
I admit, I do smile and kiss him (generally) when he gets home… unless I’m in a piss-poor mood. :wink1_tb:

Some don’ts: Don’t greet him with problems or complaints. Don’t complain if he’s late for dinner. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through that day.
What he went through? I’m sorry, but I think we could compete for the most stressful days and come out even. If I’ve got a problem or a complaint, he’s gonna hear it. (Why do I feel like Queen Latifah?) :happy_tb:

Make him comfortable: Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or suggest he lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him. Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soft, soothing, and pleasant voice. Allow him to relax–unwind.
I’m not even going to go here. I might choke on my own spit. :lol_tb:

Listen to him: You may have a dozen things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time Let him talk first.
I’m not sure why you let him talk first… my DH rarely talks at all. If I didn’t start a conversation, it wouldn’t get past “howdy”. :confused_ee:

Make the evening his: Never complain if he does not take you out to dinner or to other places of entertainment. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure, his need to be home and relax.
He doesn’t need to take me out to dinner. I’ll go without him. :rolleyes_tb:

The goal: Try to make your home a place of peace and order where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.
Does my house look like a spa? :doh_tb:

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Okay, now how many of you out there laughed when you read this? Be honest now, because for some of us, this was the way we did it. For others, it was the way our mothers or grandmothers did it. It’s absolutely amazing how we’ve changed in 50 years, isn’t it?
Now pardon me while I go and hunt down this textbook and use it for scrap paper. :tongue_laugh_ee: